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Do it Right: Moving office

Picture the fallout. The new place may be shiny, but how will things work? How will your team interact with other parts of the business? Where will visitors park? Think through the details before you up sticks.

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Published: 01 Jul 2007

Last Updated: 31 Aug 2010

Plan the operation. You don't want to roll into the new office on the
first morning to a sea of boxes, saying: 'Right, where will all this
stuff go?'

Brief the troops. Tell your team why and when you're moving, and exactly
what they have to do. Then you won't have the nasty surprise that your
ergonomic chair didn't get a 'move me' sticker and never arrived.

Have a clearout. Don't waste effort transporting stuff you don't need.
Be ruthless, and think kit as much as paper and files. Could this be the
time to invest in those flat-screen monitors?

Tell people. Send out fliers and e-mail alerts letting clients know your
new details. If you're changing numbers, make sure they can still reach
you on the old one for a time, and get your new stationery printed
before you go.

Make it cosy. Take the opportunity to do those little things you never
got round to before - get plants and hang pictures. The idea of feng
shui may make you scoff, but the place has to be comfortable.

Give yourself time. Moves take longer than you think. Plan it for a
period that suits your work schedule, and make sure everyone's around to
help out. Then cheekily book your holiday ...